Thanks for all the help! Does quality red fox urine have any place in cat trapping?

which town?

Lets get on a new topic, I like the Nevada Stretch, and think it brings in more money, for my Bobcat Pelts! Am I the only one that thinks this way? I like a #6 wire Coyote stretcher, with a rounded nose. A piece of 7 x 10 x 3/16 plywood fastened to the hooks on the bottom, so I can slide it up and down. I turn the cats when the leather starts to stiffen, and like to get a stretch from nose to the base of the tail at least 36" or more. I use plenty of Borax, wooden stretchers I'm not used to, but can see where they would make a Cat look thicker. They just seem to make the Cat look too wide at the bottom! I like my Cats about the same width from the shoulders to the tail, and not look like an arrow! Can anyone help me stretch my Cats better??

Does everyone flip their cats? This last yr was my first trapping and putting up fur, I called in a few Coyotes and put them up but I used lots of Borax and put them up fur out. They all turned out very nice and were ready to come off the stretchers in a few day. Just wanted to know if there was a benefit to statring them one way then flipping? Thanks

Chris! Not everyone flips their Cats. Fleshing is very important and some high dollar Cats have quite a bit of fat around the belly area. Borax rubbing helps, but when your dealing with $600. Cats, I prefer to turn them. The reason is to dry as much oil from the leather as possible. Starting leather side out until the leather starts to stiffen rubbing with Borax then turn fur side out, does a better job. You want to do the best job possible, the shape of the cat also contributes, Fur Buyers will reward you for this. Thanks!! Bob

Livetrap! Most urine will attract predators, even human urine. I used to use Red Fox Urine mainly because it's cheaper. I find that bobcat urine is better when Cage Trapping high dollar Cats!

Bob ,All these cats are put up on wood stretchers.The key to wood is not to stretch the bottom out, go for more lenghth.

Bob, back when I used Wire for the Cats. I would sometimes use as many as 4 in order to get the right look and thickness. Now, it's all wood and never Flip 'em.

Brett, There's no doubt you do a beautiful job, and catch some high dollar Cats. You have to remember most of these guys are beginners, they want to know how you get these Cats to look like this? Do you turn your Cats, from leather to fur? How about Borax, do you use any? Start from a skinned Cat, and tell us how you get such beautiful Cats?? Great post!!

YamaCat! Otis called the other day and asked some questions about our ATA Convention the end of August. He is bringing a half dozen wooden stretchers for me, I'm going to try them this year, but I'm not sure just how to use them. I thought they hindered the drying process with all that wood and no air to get inside. Tell me how to use them?? Thanks!!

Extreme Fleshing, (never any Fat left), Lots of Borax. Did I say lots of Borax? Cameron has some real good Step by Step, for this procedure archived on here somewhere. And Mercer has a real helpful DVD showing the Put-Up. My Boards are probably alot thicker than most, and Air-circulation hasn't been a problem.

YamaCat! Mercer gave me his Video last year, we exchange them. I think he did an excellent job, I noticed when he turned a Cat, he switched stretchers. Was that because the wood soaks up the oil or fat? Do you put a sealer on the wood, so it doesn't absorb the grease? I would like to know more about wooden stretchers? Great post with the picture. Thanks!!

I flesh them on an older style wood stretcher with a more rounded nose. When the fleshing is done, the proper size stretcher is selected and the pelt is pinned on. I've never sealed any of these boards, (Pine and Redwood) They kind of season themselves, thru time. I'll get some pictures of the boards I use, but right now, I've got to get to the Hills and look for a Buckskin Cedar, for some decoration in the Back Yard. (wifes orders) Tough job but - - -well you know the saying.

I have always put up my cats with the legs out and wide and always thought they would showcase the belly better. My latest buyer is a cutter and also said he likes them that way. After taking a step back and comparing mine to the last few pics, I think I will try the Nevada stretch this year. They look so much better put up that way.
Do you guys ever have any hair slippage at the top of the arms?
I just ordered the cat put up video too. There are alot of tricks out there, so I'm sure it will help out.

Thanks fellas, this thread is helpful. I don't have to use cages, but may try so I can release females. Last year had a few cats look at my conibear cubbys, then walk away. I ended up snaring them on their trails near my cubbys. I snared a large male, 37 pounds (looked heavier than that) and a 26 lb female ten feet from each other, but a couple days apart, on the same trail 20 feet from my cubby. It would have been nice to have a cage set so I could release the female. Live and learn.

Jeff! Your not going to believe this, but if you look at my foothold video on Trapping Bobcats, I made back in the 85'-86' season that's how I used to put them up. Then I asked a number of Fur Buyers, how they liked them and kept hearing about the Nevada Stretch. This Stretch has been out over 20 years, and more people are using it. Mercer has an excellent Video showing this stretch, with wooden stretchers. Great post! I know you don't like to show your Cats, and noticed there are a bunch hidden! Thanks!!

Hey Bob, this is my usual load. When you sell a load like this, the beer always goes down good.

If all those traps folded up it wouldnt look so big.LOL

man you guys are hard on each other lol

John I never met anyone that didnt like you.always enjoy talking with you .Gene